Green Options » falcons

Grisly Discovery: Nearly 200 Protected Birds Slaughtered in Malta

Jace Shoemaker-Galloway — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:57:55 +0000

The remains of nearly 200 protected birds have been discovered in Malta. The Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) and the BirdLife Malta Raptor Camp located the carcasses under trash and stones in the woodland area of Mizieb. The organizations are currently running two separate migration and observation camps. Nearly 400 species of birds have been recorded on Malta, which is a central migration route across the Mediterranean.

City of San Jose Names Peregrine Falcon ‘Esteban Colbert’

Timothy B. Hurst — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 00:53:27 +0000

There are a few different ways to get the much sought after Stephen “Colbert Bump,” from one of which is naming an animal after the faux-right wing kingmaker. And that is exactly what the City of San José has done by naming a male peregrine falcon recently San José City Hall, “Esteban Colbert”.

As it became apparent that the resident female’s mate from last year would not return for a second season in downtown San Jose, fans of the city’s Falcon Cam, installed on the roof of city hall a few years back, also noticed frequent visits from a new male suitor.

“I’m delighted that Esteban Colbert appeared at City Hall this week, and that he and Clara are hitting it off,” said San José Mayor Chuck Reed in a statement. Reed is reportedly an avid fan of Stephen Colbert’s Colbert Report. “Like the City Hall falcons, the original Colbert has proven that with primitive instincts and sharp talons, anyone can survive in modern society,” said Reed.

Farmers Eye Falcons as Nature’s Pest Control

Shirley Siluk Gregory — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:16:06 +0000

Vintners in New Zealand are considering using falcons to control sparrows and green finches that are causing heavy damage to their crops. One agricultural expert estimates the damage caused by bird pests could total 20 million to 30 million dollars a year.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons user Johan Spaedtke.